The government yesterday recommended withdrawal of 458 cases, including 21 corruption-related cases, which were filed against Awami League (AL) leaders and activists during the tenure of the BNP-Jamaat government and the immediate-past caretaker with the intention to 'harass politically'.

The decision came at the 11th meeting of the inter-ministerial committee reviewing the 'politically motivated' cases. With this, the committee

so far recommended a total of 1,817 cases for withdrawal.

Of them, 195 are graft-related cases filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Former minister of AL Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, JP lawmaker ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, ex-AL lawmaker Ali Reza Raju and his wife and Kazi Faruk Ahmed are some of those whose cases have been recommended to be withdrawn.

Two cases each against Prof Opu Ukil and ex-AL lawmaker Haji Selim and five cases against ex-AL MP Mohiuddin Ahmed were also recommended for withdrawal.

State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam, who presided over the meeting, said ACC is an independent body and it is to decide whether or not it will scrap the cases.

“We'll not interfere in its activities. We have recommended withdrawal of those cases which were filed for harassing political leaders and workers,” he told reporters after the meeting at the home ministry.

A total of 1,056 cases were submitted to the meeting with recommenda-

tions for withdrawal. Of them, 31 are from ACC. After review, 21 of the ACC cases were recommended to be withdrawn.

A total of 6,582 cases have been submitted to the ministry to date for consideration.

Most of those whose cases were recommended for withdrawal belong to the ruling party and its front organisations, triggering resentment in the opposition BNP circles as its leaders are also bearing loads of such cases on charges of graft that had taken place during their rule.